Switching device and electronic musical instrument

Abstract

To provide a switch device capable of obtaining good click feeling, and an electronic music instrument having such a switch device.SOLUTION: A determination switch 50 includes: a key top 52 capable of performing depression operation; a substantially cylindrical rubber key 56 that is provided on a depression direction side of the key top 52 and whose key top 52 side is elastically deformed according to the depression operation to the key top 52; a switch unit 62 for detecting the depression operation to the key top 52; and a key guide 54 supported by the rubber key 56 inside the rubber key 56 and moving in a depression direction according to the depression operation to the key top 52. A switch unit 62 side in the rubber key 56 is elastically deformed by movement of the key guide 54 according to the depression operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device and an electronic musical instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic musical instruments such as electronic pianos are known to include switch devices for making various settings. Among these switch devices, a switch device with an elastic member such as a rubber member to improve the clicking sensation when the switch device is pressed has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a push button switch that includes a front case, a movable contact sheet, a push button, a key guide, and a click rubber, which is an elastic member. In this push button switch, the click rubber is provided below the push button, and when a user presses the push button, part of the push button is guided by the key guide and presses the click rubber downward, which in turn presses the movable contact sheet downward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-155317 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the push button switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that part of the push button directly presses the click rubber, so when the push button is pressed down, the elastic force of the click rubber is transmitted directly to the finger, etc., and it is sometimes the case that a good clicking sensation is not obtained.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that can provide a good clicking sensation and an electronic musical instrument that includes such a switch device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A switch device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a push-down member that can be pushed down, a substantially cylindrical elastic member that is provided on the push-down side of the push-down member and whose push-down member side elastically deforms in response to the push-down operation of the push-down member, a detection member that detects the push-down operation of the push-down member, and a moving member that is supported by the elastic member inside the elastic member and moves in the push-down direction in response to the push-down operation of the push-down member, and the detection member side of the elastic member elastically deforms in response to the push-down operation of the move- ment member In addition, the pressing member contacts only the elastic member among the elastic member, the detection member, and the moving member in the pressing direction.

[0007] An electronic musical instrument according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described switch device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch device that can provide a good clicking sensation and an electronic musical instrument that includes such a switch device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of an electronic keyboard instrument according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left case of the electronic keyboard instrument according to the embodiment, seen from the right side. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch group in the electronic keyboard instrument according to the embodiment taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a group of switches in the electronic keyboard instrument according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are perspective views of a key guide in a determination switch according to an embodiment, in which (a) is a view of the key guide seen from diagonally above, and (b) is a view of the key guide seen from diagonally below. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a rubber key in a determination switch according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a view of the rubber key seen from diagonally above, and FIG. 1B is a view of the rubber key seen from diagonally below. [Figure 7]3 is a cross-sectional view of the decision switch in the left-right direction according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the determination switch in the front-rear direction according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the decision switch in the embodiment in the front-to-back direction, with the key top pressed halfway down, where E1 shows an enlarged view of the area near the rubber side convex portion and the guide side convex portion, and E2 shows an enlarged view of the area near the hinge portion. [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view of the decision switch in the embodiment in the front-to-back direction, with the key top pressed down to the lowest position; E3 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the rubber side convex portion and the guide side convex portion; and E4 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the hinge portion. [Figure 11] These are cross-sectional views in the front-to-back direction near the key top of the decision switch of the embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view when the key top is in its fixed position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view when the key top is shifted in the front-to-back direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a group of switches in the electronic keyboard instrument according to the embodiment, showing how light from an LED in the determination switch is guided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic keyboard instrument (electronic musical instrument) 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a keyboard section 10 having a plurality of white keys and a plurality of black keys, and a case 20. A control board and other components (not shown) are housed inside the case 20. Coordinate axes are shown in each figure, and in the following description, the X-axis direction in each figure is defined as the left-right direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 (the direction in which the keys are arranged on the keyboard section 10) (the positive X-axis direction is defined as the leftward direction), the Y-axis direction in each figure is defined as the front-rear direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 (the direction in which the keys extend on the keyboard section 10) (the positive Y-axis direction is defined as the forward direction), and the Z-axis direction in each figure is defined as the up-down direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 (the positive Z-axis direction is defined as the upward direction).

[0011] The case 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. It is divided into an upper case 22, a lower case 24, a left case 26, and a right case 28. The upper surface of the upper case 22 is provided with a power button 2 for turning the electronic keyboard instrument 1 on and off, a volume knob 4 for controlling the volume of musical tones, a liquid crystal display 6, and an operation panel 8. As shown in FIG. 2 , the left case 26 has an acrylic resin upper panel 26a constituting its upper surface and a case side wall 26b constituting its side wall. The front portion of the upper panel 26a is provided with an operation opening 26a1 through which a portion of a pitch bender PB for applying and controlling pitch bend to musical tones is exposed. The rear portion of the upper panel 26a is provided with a setting opening 26a2 through which a portion of a switch group SG (the upper surfaces of key tops 32, 42, and 52, described below) for performing various settings is exposed. An earphone jack EJ is also provided on the front surface of the case side wall 26b.

[0012] The switch group SG has three switches (switch devices) 30, 40, 50 that are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the front-to-rear direction and can be pressed downward (in the pressing direction). These three switches 30, 40, 50 are, in order from the rear, a first setting switch 30, a second setting switch 40, and a confirmation switch 50. The first setting switch 30 is a switch for turning on and off a function that automatically plays arpeggios in the electronic keyboard instrument 1, for example. The second setting switch 40 is a switch for calling up a function of a smartphone app, for example. The confirmation switch 50 is a switch to which, for example, a modulation effect or other function in the electronic keyboard instrument 1 can be assigned. Various functions other than the above functions can be assigned to the switches 30, 40, 50 that make up the switch group SG.

[0013] An inner frame 27, which is a frame-shaped member, is provided on the inner surface of the left case 26. The components constituting the pitch bender PB and the components constituting the switch group SG are housed inside the inner frame 27. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a circuit board 60 is provided inside the inner frame 27 below the switch group SG. On the upper surface 60a of the circuit board 60, at positions overlapping the switches 30, 40, and 50 in the vertical direction, there are provided switch units (detection members) 62 that are pressed to turn on and off the functions of the switches 30, 40, and 50, and a pair of LEDs (light sources) 64 arranged with their light-emitting sides facing upward. Specifically, one switch unit 62 and one pair of LEDs 64 are provided on the rear side, approximately in the center in the front-rear direction, and on the front side of the circuit board 60. Connection terminals 66 that are electrically connected to the devices inside the case 20 are provided on the lower surface 60b of the circuit board 60.

[0014] Each switch section 62 provided on the upper surface 60a of the circuit board 60 has a fixed contact section 62a in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and a movable contact section 62b in the shape of a substantially cylindrical column. The fixed contact section 62a is fixed to the circuit board 60 and is electrically connected to the connection wiring on the circuit board 60. The movable contact section 62b is provided on the fixed contact section 62a and is movable in the up and down direction relative to the fixed contact section 62a. When the movable contact section 62b is pressed down by each switch 30, 40, 50 and moves downward, the contact terminals in the movable contact section 62b come into contact with the contact terminals in the fixed contact section 62a, turning the functions of each switch 30, 40, 50 on and off.

[0015] The first setting switch 30, the second setting switch 40, and the enter switch 50 that make up the switch group SG have the same mechanical configuration and differ only in their external shapes. Specifically, the first setting switch 30 and the second setting switch 40 have an overall generally cylindrical external shape with the portion pressed by the user being generally circular, while the enter switch 50 has an overall generally rectangular cylindrical external shape with the portion pressed by the user being generally square (see FIG. 4, etc.). Each switch 30, 40, 50 includes key tops (pressing members) 32, 42, 52 having a surface pressed by the user, key guides (moving members) 34, 44, 54 provided below the key tops 32, 42, 52, rubber keys 36, 46, 56 that are elastic members, and light guides (light guiding members) 38, 48, 58 that guide light from an LED 64 toward the key tops 32, 42, 52.

[0016] Among the switches 30, 40, and 50 constituting the switch group SG, which have the same mechanical configuration, the configuration of the enter switch 50 (excluding the circuit board 60 and LED 64) will be described in detail below. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the key top 52 of the enter switch 50 is a thick, generally rectangular plate-shaped member made of, for example, transparent acrylic resin. The key top 52 has a generally rectangular plate-shaped portion 52a and a first protruding portion (protruding portion) 52b that protrudes outward in a flange-like manner from the end of the lower surface of the rectangular plate portion 52a. The upper surface of the rectangular plate portion 52a (hereinafter referred to as the "pressing surface 52a1") is a generally square, flat surface. The first protruding portion 52b protrudes outward from the pressing surface 52a1.

[0017] The depression surface 52a1 is exposed through the set opening 26a2 of the left case 26 and is pressed by the user. When the depression surface 52a1 is not depressed (hereinafter referred to as the "normal state"), it is located slightly above (for example, 0.2 mm above) the top panel 26a of the left case 26. As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of the square plate portion 52a is greater than the thickness of the top panel 26a, and the first protrusion 52b is located below the top panel 26a. The bottom surface of the keytop 52 is printed in black, for example, to prevent the structure below the keytop 52 from being visible through the depression surface 52a1.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the key guide 54 of the enter switch 50 is a generally rectangular cylindrical member made of, for example, HIPS (high impact polystyrene) resin. The key guide 54 has a generally box-shaped first box portion 54a that opens upward, and plate-like protrusions 54b that protrude downward from both the front and rear sides of a bottom surface 54a2 of the first box portion 54a in a generally plate-like shape. The first box portion 54a has four rounded corners. Each plate-like protrusion 54b is provided with both plate surfaces facing the front-rear direction, and the dimensions of the protrusions downward from the first box portion 54a are equal. The tip of each plate-like protrusion 54b (the lower end of the key guide 54) is flat, forming a contact portion 54b1 that contacts the top surface 60a of the circuit board 60 when the depression surface 52a1 of the key top 52 is depressed.

[0019] A retaining portion 54c is provided at approximately the center in the left-right direction on the outer surface of each plate-shaped protrusion 54b to prevent the key guide 54 from slipping off the rubber key 56 (described later). Each retaining portion 54c has an inclined surface 54c1 that slopes outward from the abutment portion 54b1. The upper end surface of each retaining portion 54c is flat from the upper end of the inclined surface 54c1 to the outer surface of the plate-shaped protrusion 54b, forming a retaining surface 54c2 that abuts against the rubber key 56 to prevent the key guide 54 from slipping off. A guide-side protrusion (second pressing protrusion) 54d that protrudes downward in a generally cylindrical shape is provided at approximately the center of the lower surface 54a2 of the first box-shaped portion 54a. In other words, the guide-side protrusion 54d is provided on the cylindrical axis A1 of the key guide 54. The guide-side convex portion 54d presses a part of the rubber key 56 when the pressing surface 52a1 of the key top 52 is pressed.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the rubber key 56 of the enter switch 50 is a resilient, generally rectangular cylindrical member made of, for example, silicone rubber. The rubber key 56 has a generally rectangular first cylindrical portion (fixing portion) 56a, a generally box-shaped second box-shaped portion (supporting portion) 56b provided inside the first rectangular cylindrical portion 56a and opening upward, and a second protruding portion 56c protruding outward like a brim from the lower edge of the first rectangular cylindrical portion 56a. The first rectangular cylindrical portion 56a and the second box-shaped portion 56b have four rounded corners. The second box-shaped portion 56b is connected to an upper end 56a1 of the first rectangular cylindrical portion 56a by a hinge portion (connecting portion) 56d extending from a position slightly below an upper end 56b1 of the second box-shaped portion 56b.

[0021] The hinge portion 56d is provided around the entire upper end of the first rectangular tube portion 56a. Therefore, when the rubber key 56 is viewed from above, the first rectangular tube portion 56a and the second box-shaped portion 56b are connected by the hinge portion 56d without any gaps. The thickness of the hinge portion 56d is much thinner than the thicknesses of the first rectangular tube portion 56a and the second box-shaped portion 56b. Elastic deformation of the hinge portion 56d allows the second box-shaped portion 56b to move vertically relative to the first rectangular tube portion 56a. In a normal state, the upper end 56b1 of the second box-shaped portion 56b is located above the upper end 56a1 of the first rectangular tube portion 56a, and the hinge portion 56d between the first rectangular tube portion 56a and the second box-shaped portion 56b is recessed downward.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6(a), six minute first protrusions (protrusions) 56b2 protruding upward in a mountain-like shape when viewed from the front to back are provided on both front and rear portions of an upper end 56b1 (the end on the key top 52 side) of the second box-shaped portion 56b. Of the six first protrusions 56c1, three are provided at approximately equal intervals on the front side and three are provided at approximately equal intervals on the rear side. In other words, the three first protrusions 56b2 on the front side and the three first protrusions 56b2 on the rear side are provided opposite each other across the cylindrical axis A2 of the rubber key 56. The bottom surface of the second box-shaped portion 56b serves as a support surface 56b3 that supports the key guide 54. Openings are provided on both the front and rear sides of the support surface 56b3. These openings are slightly larger than the outer periphery of each plate-shaped protrusion 54b of the key guide 54 and serve as insertion openings 56b4 through which each plate-shaped protrusion 54b is inserted in the vertical direction.

[0023] Furthermore, a circular recess 56b5, recessed in a substantially circular shape, is provided in the approximate center of the upper surface of the support surface 56b3. The circular recess 56b5 is slightly larger than the outer periphery of the guide-side protrusion 54d of the key guide 54, allowing the guide-side protrusion 54d to fit within. The depth of the circular recess 56b5 is approximately equal to the protruding dimension of the guide-side protrusion 54d. Meanwhile, a rubber-side protrusion (first pressing protrusion) 56e, protruding downward in a substantially cylindrical shape, is provided in the approximate center of the lower surface of the support surface 56b3. That is, the rubber-side protrusion 56e is provided on the cylindrical axis A2 of the rubber key 56. The rubber-side protrusion 56e is slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the guide-side protrusion 54d of the key guide 54. The rubber-side convex portion 56e presses the moving contact portion 62b of the switch portion 62 provided on the circuit board 60 when the pressing surface 52a1 of the key top 52 is pressed.

[0024] The second protruding portion 56c has a lower surface 56c2 that abuts against the upper surface 60a of the circuit board 60. As shown in FIG. 6(b), three minute second protrusions 56c3 that protrude upward in a mountain shape when viewed from the front-to-rear direction are provided on both front and rear portions of the lower surface 56c2 of the second protruding portion 56c. Of the three second protrusions 56c3, two are provided on the front side and one is provided on the rear side. A first notch 56c4 cut out in a substantially rectangular shape is provided in each of the left and right portions of the second protruding portion 56c, approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction. Each first notch 56c4 is cut out to the lower end of the first rectangular tube portion 56a.

[0025] Furthermore, a substantially circular insertion hole 56c5 is provided in the front portion of the second protruding portion 56c at approximately the center in the left-right direction, through which a restricting pin 58e of a light guide 58 (described later) is inserted. A board-side notch 60d is provided in the circuit board 60 at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 56c5 in the up-down direction, where a portion of the front end of the circuit board 60 is cut away (see FIG. 4). Three fixing pins 56f protruding downward in a pin-like shape are provided on the underside 56c2 of the second protruding portion 56c. The three fixing pins 56f are provided at three of the four corners of the underside 56c2 of the second protruding portion 56c. Meanwhile, mounting holes 60c, through which the fixing pins 56f are inserted, are provided in the circuit board 60 at positions corresponding to the fixing pins 56f in the up-down direction (see FIG. 4).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 58 of the enter switch 50 is a translucent, generally rectangular cylindrical member that is slightly larger than the rubber key 56 and is made of, for example, polycarbonate. The light guide 58 has a generally rectangular cylindrical second rectangular cylindrical portion 58a, a generally rectangular annular portion (enclosing portion) 58b that extends upward from the upper end of the second rectangular cylindrical portion 58a, and a third protruding portion 58c that extends outward like a brim from the lower edge of the second rectangular cylindrical portion 58a. The second rectangular cylindrical portion 58a has four rounded corners. The opening dimension of the annular portion 58b is slightly larger than the width dimension of the rectangular plate portion 52a of the key top 52. The upper edge of the annular portion 58b is textured along its entire circumference.

[0027] 7 and 8, a sloped portion 58d that slopes upward and inward is provided at the boundary between the second rectangular tube portion 58a and the annular portion 58b. This sloped portion 58d slightly narrows the opening diameter of the light guide 58 from the second rectangular tube portion 58a to the annular portion 58b. The surface of the sloped portion 58d facing the outside of the light guide 58 is a first reflecting surface 58d1, and the surface facing the inside of the light guide 58 is a second reflecting surface 58d2. The inclination angle (acute angle) of the first reflecting surface 58d1 and the second reflecting surface 58d2 with respect to the cylindrical axis direction of the second rectangular tube portion 58a is 45 degrees. The surfaces of the first reflecting surface 58d1 and the second reflecting surface 58d2 are both mirror-finished.

[0028] The third protruding portion 58c is disposed above the second protruding portion 56c of the rubber key 56. A second cutout 58c1, cut into a substantially rectangular shape, is provided in each of the left and right side portions of the third protruding portion 58c, approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction. A downwardly protruding pin 58e, pin-shaped, is provided in the lower surface of the front portion of the third protruding portion 58c, approximately in the center in the left-to-right direction (see FIGS. 4 and 8). The restricting pin 58e is inserted into the insertion hole 56c5 of the rubber key 56 and enters the board-side notch 60d of the circuit board 60, thereby restricting the left-to-right movement of the light guide 58.

[0029] 7 and 8, the assembly of the components that make up the enter switch 50 will be described. The pair of plate-shaped protrusions 54b of the key guide 54 are inserted from above into the insertion openings 56b4 of the rubber key 56. The pair of plate-shaped protrusions 54b are inserted until the lower surface 54a2 of the first box-shaped portion 54a abuts on the support surface 56b3 of the rubber key 56. When the retaining portions 54c of the key guide 54 pass through the insertion openings 56b4, the inner surface of the second box-shaped portion 56b of the rubber key 56 is pressed by the inclined surfaces 54c1 of the retaining portions 54c, causing elastic deformation outward. When each retaining portion 54c is inserted into the insertion opening 56b4, the inner surface of the second box-shaped portion 56b of the rubber key 56 elastically returns to its original shape, and the retaining surface 54c2 of each retaining portion 54c faces the underside of the second box-shaped portion 56b of the rubber key 56.

[0030] When the pair of plate-like protrusions 54b are inserted into the insertion openings 56b4, the key guide 54 is supported by the support surface 56b3 inside the rubber key 56, and the guide-side protrusion 54d of the key guide 54 enters the circular recess 56b5 of the rubber key 56, with its tip abutting the bottom surface of the circular recess 56b5. This completes the assembly of the key guide 54 to the rubber key 56. In this state, the cylindrical axis A1 of the key guide 54 and the cylindrical axis A2 of the rubber key 56 are aligned, and the vertical positions of the upper end of the first box-shaped portion 54a of the key guide 54 and the upper end 56b1 of the second box-shaped portion 56b of the rubber key 56 are aligned. Therefore, the first protrusion 56b2 (not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the rubber key 56 protrudes above the upper end of the first box-shaped portion 54a of the key guide 54. In addition, in this state, the anti-slip surfaces 54c2 of each anti-slip portion 54c face closely to the underside of the second box-shaped portion 56b of the rubber key 56, thereby preventing each plate-shaped protrusion 54b of the key guide 54 from slipping out of the insertion opening 56b4.

[0031] The rubber key 56 with the key guide 54 assembled thereto is attached to the circuit board 60. Specifically, three fixing pins 56f provided on the rubber key 56 are inserted into three mounting holes 60c provided on the front side of the circuit board 60, respectively, thereby attaching and fixing the rubber key 56 to the circuit board 60. By attaching the rubber key 56 to the circuit board 60, movement of the rubber key 56 toward the surface of the circuit board 60 is restricted. The tip (lower surface) of the rubber-side convex portion 56e of the rubber key 56 is positioned above and adjacent to a switch unit 62 provided on the front side of the circuit board 60. The two LEDs 64 provided on the front side of the circuit board 60 are positioned within the first notches 56c4 of the rubber key 56, with their light-emitting sides exposed above the rubber key 56.

[0032] The keytop 52 is placed on the rubber key 56 with the rubber key 56 attached to the circuit board 60. That is, the underside of the keytop 52 abuts against the tip of each first protrusion 56b2 provided on the rubber key 56. In this way, the keytop 52 is placed only on the rubber key 56 with a small gap between it and the key guide 54. Therefore, when sound is output from the electronic keyboard instrument 1, for example, vibrations accompanying the sound are absorbed by the elastic rubber key 56, preventing or suppressing resonance of the keytop 52. The protruding height of each first protrusion 56b2 can be adjusted according to the assembly tolerances of the components constituting the enter switch 50 so that the depression surface 52a1 of the keytop 52 placed on each first protrusion 56b2 is horizontal (or aligned with the panel surface of the top panel 26a).

[0033] The light guide 58 is assembled to cover the rubber key 56 mounted on the circuit board 60. Specifically, the light guide 58 is assembled by inserting a restricting pin 58e provided on the light guide 58 into the insertion hole 56c5 of the rubber key 56 and into the board-side notch 60d of the circuit board 60. The light guide 58 assembled in this manner is restricted from moving in the left-right direction by the board-side notch 60d, but is allowed to move in the front-rear direction against the elastic force of the rubber key 56. In other words, the light guide 58 is held by the rubber key 56 so as to be allowed to move in the front-rear direction along the pressing surface 52a1. The second rectangular tube portion 58a of the light guide 58 surrounds the first rectangular tube portion 56a of the rubber key 56 with a gap provided between them. The annular portion 58b of the light guide 58 is in a state where the inner surface thereof abuts against (or is close to) the square plate portion 52a of the key top 52 and surrounds the square plate portion 52a. The depression surface 52a1 of the key top 52 is exposed upward.

[0034] Furthermore, by assembling the light guide 58, the lower surface of the inclined portion 58d of the light guide 58 comes into contact with the first protruding portion 52b of the keytop 52. In other words, the first protruding portion 52b protrudes outward from the annular portion 58b of the light guide 58 and is disposed below (on the pressing direction side of) the annular portion 58b. This prevents the keytop 52 from slipping upward and becoming detached from the light guide 58. The two LEDs 64 provided on the front side of the circuit board 60 are positioned within the second notches 58c1 of the light guide 58 and overlap the lower end of the second rectangular tube portion 58a in the up-down direction. Therefore, light emitted upward from the two LEDs 64 on the front side of the circuit board 60 is incident on the lower end of the second rectangular tube portion 58a. By the above procedure, the enter switch 50 is assembled on the circuit board 60.

[0035] The circuit board 60 on which the enter switch 50 (and the first setting switch 30 and second setting switch 40) are assembled is attached to the internal frame 27 of the left case 26, for example, by screws. As a result, the enter switch 50 is sandwiched and fixed between the circuit board 60 and the top panel 26a, with the upper surface of the inclined portion 58d of the light guide 58 abutting against the lower surface of the opening end of the set opening 26a2 of the left case 26 and the depression surface 52a1 and the upper edge of the annular portion 58b of the light guide 58 exposed upward from the set opening 26a2. The annular portion 58b is interposed between the square plate portion 52a of the key top 52 and the top panel 26a of the left case 26. The third protruding portion 58c of the light guide 58 is sandwiched between the second protruding portion 56c of the rubber key 56 and the internal frame 27.

[0036] Next, with reference to Figures 8 to 10, the operation of the enter switch 50 when the user presses the depression surface 52a1 of the enter switch 50 will be described. As shown in Figure 8, in the normal state, the rubber-side protrusion 56e of the rubber key 56 is spaced from the switch portion 62 with a small gap between them. In addition, the abutment portion 54b1 of the key guide 54 is spaced from the upper surface 60a of the circuit board 60. Note that, as shown in the enlarged view E1 of Figure 9, in the normal state, the thickness dimension T1 of the rubber-side protrusion 56e is larger than the thickness dimension T2 of the guide-side protrusion 54d of the key guide 54, and the width dimension W1 of the rubber-side protrusion 56e is smaller than the width dimension W2 of the guide-side protrusion 54d.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 9, when the depression surface 52a1 is depressed halfway from the normal state, the tip of the rubber-side convex portion 56e comes into contact with the switch portion 62 (hereinafter, the state shown in Fig. 9 is referred to as the "first depression state"). When changing from the normal state to the first depression state, the depression surface 52a1 is depressed, which causes the first protrusion 52b of the key top 52 to move away from the inclined portion 58d of the light guide 58, and the rubber key 56 is pressed downward by the key top 52. As a result, the hinge portion 56d provided on the key top 52 side of the rubber key 56 is elastically deformed (see enlarged view E2 in Fig. 9), and the lower surface of the key top 52 comes into contact with the upper end of the key guide 54, and the key top 52 presses and moves the key guide 54 together with the rubber key 56 downward. As the key guide 54 moves downward, the plate-like protrusions 54b of the key guide 54 approach the circuit board 60, and the rubber convex portions 56e are pressed downward by the guide convex portions 54d and come into contact with the switch portion 62.

[0038] 10, when the pressing surface 52a1 is further pressed from the first pressing state, the rubber key 56 is pressed further downward by the key top 52, and the hinge portion 56d is further elastically deformed and bent downward (see enlarged view E2 in FIG. 10). Then, the abutment portion 54b1 of the key guide 54 abuts against the circuit board 60, and the lower surface of the key top abuts against the upper end of the first rectangular tube portion 56a of the rubber key 56, reaching a lower limit state where the pressing surface 52a1 cannot be pressed any further (hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 10 is referred to as the "second pressing state"). In the second pressing state, the pressing surface 52a1 is located below the panel surface of the top panel 26a.

[0039] When the rubber key 56 is changed from the first depressed state to the second depressed state, the rubber-side protrusion 56e provided on the switch portion 62 side of the rubber key 56 is pressed further downward from above (the side opposite the switch portion 62 side) by the guide-side protrusion 54d, and the rubber-side protrusion 56e is compressed (elastically deformed) in the vertical direction between the guide-side protrusion 54d and the switch portion 62, thereby pressing the moving contact portion 62b of the switch portion 62 downward. The function of the enter switch 50 is turned on and off as the rubber-side protrusion 56e presses the moving contact portion 62b downward. In other words, a pressing operation on the pressing surface 52a1 is detected. In this way, when the pressing surface 52a1 is pressed, the rubber-side protrusion 56e is pressed via the key guide 54, pressing the switch portion 62. When the finger is released from the depression surface 52a1 and the depression operation is terminated, the elastic restoring force of the rubber-side convex portion 56e causes each member constituting the enter switch 50 to return to its normal position.

[0040] As a result of the compression of the rubber-side protrusions 56e as described above, in the second pressed-down state, the thickness T3 of the compressed rubber-side protrusions 56e becomes smaller than the thickness T2 of the guide-side protrusions 54d of the key guide 54, and the width W3 of the compressed rubber-side protrusions 56e becomes larger than the width W2 of the guide-side protrusions 54d, as shown in the enlarged view E3 of Fig. 10. In this way, by adjusting the thickness and width of the guide-side protrusions 54d and the rubber-side protrusions 56e in the normal state depending on the degree of pressure to press the moving contact 62b of the switch unit 62 (the degree of compression of the rubber-side protrusions 56e), the movement distance of the key guide 54 when the rubber-side protrusions 56e are pressed downward, and the like, the pressing force of the rubber-side protrusions 56e on the moving contact 62b can be optimized.

[0041] The upper panel 26a, which is provided with the setting opening 26a2 through which the depression surface 52a1 of the determination switch 50 is exposed, may expand or contract due to the temperature environment around the electronic keyboard instrument 1. As shown in FIG. 11(a), the determination switch 50 of this embodiment has a gap C between the annular portion 58b of the light guide 58 and the upper panel 26a. Therefore, even if the opening end of the setting opening 26a2 is displaced rearward due to expansion of the upper panel 26a, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the light guide 58 is prevented or suppressed from being pressed against the upper panel 26a. Furthermore, since the light guide 58 is allowed to move in the front-rear direction as described above, even if the opening end of the setting opening 26a2 is significantly displaced in the front-rear direction and the annular portion 58b is pressed against the upper panel 26a, the light guide 58 moves in the front-rear direction to absorb the displacement. In this way, the determination switch 50 of this embodiment is prevented or suppressed from being affected by expansion or contraction of the upper panel 26a.

[0042] 7 and 12, a description will be given of the light guide mode of light emitted from the two LEDs 64 provided on the front side of the circuit board 60. Light (respectively indicated by the symbols L1 and L2) emitted upward from each LED 64 enters the lower end of the second rectangular tube portion 58a through each second notch 58c1 of the light guide 58. The light L1 and L2 incident on the second rectangular tube portion 58a travels upward along the second rectangular tube portion 58a and is diffused radially by a light diffusing agent applied to the material, before reaching the first reflecting surface 58d1 of the inclined portion 58d.

[0043] The light beams L1 and L2 that reach the first reflecting surface 58d1 have their optical axes turned 90 degrees inward (toward the second reflecting surface 58d2) by the first reflecting surface 58d1, where they are reflected and diffused, and then reach the second reflecting surface 58d2. The light beams L1 and L2 that reach the second reflecting surface 58d2 have their optical axes turned 90 degrees upward (toward the annular portion 58b), where they are reflected and diffused, and then emitted from the upper end of the annular portion 58b to the outside of the top panel 26a. The light beams L1 and L2 that are emitted from the upper end of the annular portion 58b to the outside of the top panel 26a can be visually recognized by the user.

[0044] As described above, the determination switch 50 according to this embodiment includes a key top 52 that can be pressed, a substantially cylindrical rubber key 56 that is provided on the pressing direction side of the key top 52 and whose key top 52 side elastically deforms in response to a pressing operation on the key top 52, a switch unit 62 that detects the pressing operation on the key top 52, and a key guide 54 that is supported by the rubber key 56 on the inside thereof and moves in the pressing direction in response to a pressing operation on the key top 52. Then, the movement of the key guide 54 in response to a pressing operation causes elastic deformation of the switch unit 62 side of the rubber key 56.

[0045] In this way, when the user presses the keytop 52 of the enter switch 50, the keytop 52 does not directly press the rubber key 56. Instead, the keytop 52 side of the rubber key 56 elastically deforms, and the key guide 54 supported on the inside of the rubber key 56 is pushed by the keytop 52 and moves in the pressing direction. The movement of the key guide 54 elastically deforms the switch section 62 side of the rubber key 56, thereby pressing the switch section 62 and detecting the pressing operation on the keytop 52. Therefore, when the user presses the keytop 52, the feel of the key guide 54, which is harder than the rubber key 56, is transmitted to the finger, while the elastic deformation of the rubber key 56 allows for a smooth pressing operation, and the elastic force of the rubber key 56 is not transmitted directly to the finger. Therefore, with the enter switch 50, the user who touches the keytop 52 receives a satisfactory clicking sensation.

[0046] Furthermore, in the enter switch 50, the rubber key 56 has a rubber-side convex portion 56e that presses the switch portion 62 in response to a pressing operation on the key top 52, and the key guide 54 has a guide-side convex portion 54d that presses the rubber-side convex portion 56e from the side opposite the switch portion 62 in response to a pressing operation on the key top 52. With this configuration, the rubber-side convex portion 56e can effectively press the switch portion 62, and the guide-side convex portion 54d can effectively elastically deform the rubber-side convex portion 56e, which is part of the rubber key 56.

[0047] In the enter switch 50, the rubber-side protrusion 56e and the guide-side protrusion 54d are generally columnar, and in the normal state where the rubber-side protrusion 56e does not press the switch unit 62, the thickness T1 of the rubber-side protrusion 56e is greater than the thickness T2 of the guide-side protrusion 54d, and the width W1 of the rubber-side protrusion 56e is smaller than the width W2 of the guide-side protrusion 54d. In this way, the thickness and width of the guide-side protrusion 54d and the rubber-side protrusion 56e in the normal state can be adjusted depending on the degree of pressure to press the moving contact 62b of the switch unit 62, the hardness of the rubber key 56, the movement distance of the key guide 54 when the rubber-side protrusion 56e is pressed downward, and other factors. This allows the pressing force of the rubber-side protrusion 56e on the switch unit 62 to be optimized.

[0048] Furthermore, in the enter switch 50, the rubber-side convex portion 56e is provided on the cylindrical axis A2 of the rubber key 56, and the guide-side convex portion 54d is provided on the cylindrical axis A1 of the key guide 54, with the cylindrical axis A2 of the rubber-side convex portion 56e and the cylindrical axis A1 of the guide-side convex portion 54d substantially coinciding. With this configuration, when the key guide 54 is pressed via the key top 52, the pressing force is transmitted substantially evenly to the rubber-side convex portion 56e and the guide-side convex portion 54d. This allows the user to feel a better clicking sensation when the key top 52 is pressed.

[0049] Furthermore, in the enter switch 50, first protrusions 56b2 are provided at six locations on the end of the rubber key 56 on the key top 52 side. The first protrusions 56b2 protrude toward the key top 52 and have their tips abutting the key top 52, and three of the first protrusions 56b2 are provided opposite each other across the cylindrical axis A2 of the rubber key 56. With this configuration, the protruding height of each first protrusion 56b2 can be adjusted in accordance with the assembly tolerances of the components that make up the enter switch 50, thereby adjusting the horizontal state of the key top 52 that abuts against the tips of each first protrusion 56b2. This improves the clicking sensation when the key top 52 is pressed.

[0050] The enter switch 50 also includes a circuit board 60 on which a switch section 62 is provided, and the key guide 54 is supported by the rubber key 56 at a distance from the surface of the circuit board 60 and has a contact section 54b1 that contacts the surface of the circuit board 60 in response to a pressing operation on the key top 52. With this configuration, the contact section 54b1 contacts the surface of the circuit board 60, preventing the key guide from moving further toward the circuit board (switch section), and preventing the pressing surface 52a1 from being pressed excessively. This prevents damage to the rubber-side convex section 56e, the guide-side convex section 54d, the switch section 62, etc., and a decrease in the elasticity of the rubber key 56, which would otherwise be caused by excessive pressing of the pressing surface 52a1.

[0051] Furthermore, in the determination switch 50, the rubber key 56 has a first rectangular tube portion 56a fixed to the surface of the circuit board 60, a second box-shaped portion 56b supporting the key guide 54, and a hinge portion 56d connecting the first rectangular tube portion 56a and the second box-shaped portion 56b, and the second box-shaped portion 56b moves relative to the first rectangular tube portion 56a in the pressing direction as the hinge portion 56d elastically deforms in response to a pressing operation on the key top 52. This makes it possible to realize a specific configuration that allows the second box-shaped portion 56b of the rubber key 56 to move toward the switch portion 62 while the rubber key 56 is fixed to the surface of the circuit board 60.

[0052] Furthermore, in the determination switch 50, the key top 52 has a depression surface 52a1 to be depressed, an annular portion 58b surrounding the depression surface 52a1, and a light guide 58 that guides light from the LED 64 toward the annular portion 58b. With this configuration, the light emitted from the LED 64 is guided toward the annular portion 58b by the light guide 58 and is emitted from around the depression surface 52a1 to the outside of the determination switch 50. This allows the user to visually recognize the light from the LED 64 around the depression surface 52a1, thereby improving the visual effect, visibility, etc. of the determination switch 50.

[0053] Furthermore, in the determination switch 50, the light guide 58 is held by the rubber key 56 so as to be allowed to move in at least one direction along the depression surface 52a1. With this configuration, even if a member surrounding the determination switch 50 is misaligned and the light guide 58 is pressed by that member, the light guide 58 moves in the direction along the depression surface 52a1, absorbing the misalignment. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress the members constituting the determination switch 50 from being affected by the misalignment of the members surrounding the determination switch 50.

[0054] Furthermore, in the enter switch 50, the key top 52 has a first protruding portion 52b that protrudes outward from the depression surface 52a1 and is provided on the depression direction side of the annular portion 58b of the light guide 58. With this configuration, when the key top 52 moves in the opposite direction to the depression direction, the first protruding portion 52b interferes with the annular portion 58b of the light guide 58. This makes it possible to prevent the key top 52 from slipping out and becoming detached in the opposite direction to the depression direction.

[0055] Furthermore, in the determination switch 50, the key top 52 only contacts the rubber keys 56 in the depression direction. With this configuration, in the normal state, the key top 52 only contacts the rubber keys 56 and is not placed on the key guide 54. Therefore, for example, when sound is output from the electronic keyboard instrument 1, vibrations accompanying the sound are absorbed by the elastic rubber keys 56. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress resonance in the key top 52.

[0056] In this embodiment, the decision switch 50 is illustrated as an example of the switches 30, 40, and 50 that make up the switch group SG, but the same effects as the decision switch 50 can also be obtained with the other first setting switch 30 and second setting switch 40.

[0057] Moreover, the electronic keyboard instrument 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a decision switch 50. Therefore, it is possible to realize an electronic keyboard instrument 1 in which the decision switch 50 can be pressed with a satisfactory click feeling. Furthermore, a user playing the electronic keyboard instrument 1 can press the decision switch 50 with a satisfactory click feeling.

[0058] The electronic keyboard instrument 1 also includes an LED 64 that emits light toward the key top 52. This allows the light from the LED 64 to be emitted from around the key top 52 toward the outside of the electronic keyboard instrument 1, thereby enhancing the dramatic effect of the electronic keyboard instrument 1.

[0059] The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0060] The invention described in the first claim of the present application is as follows: [1] A depressing member that can be depressed; a substantially cylindrical elastic member provided on the pressing direction side of the pressing member, the pressing member side being elastically deformed in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member; a detection member for detecting a pressing operation on the pressing member; a moving member that is supported by the elastic member on the inside of the elastic member and moves in the pressing direction in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member, The movement of the movable member in response to the pressing operation causes the detection member side of the elastic member to elastically deform. Switch device. [2] The elastic member has a first pressing protrusion that presses the detection member in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member, the moving member has a second pressing protrusion that presses the first pressing protrusion from the side opposite to the detection member in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member; The switch device according to [1]. [3] The first pressing protrusion and the second pressing protrusion are substantially columnar, In a normal state in which the first pressing convex portion does not press the detection member, a thickness dimension of the first pressing convex portion is larger than a thickness dimension of the second pressing convex portion, and a width dimension of the first pressing convex portion is smaller than a width dimension of the second pressing convex portion. The switch device according to [2] above. [4] The first pressing protrusion is provided on the cylindrical axis of the elastic member, the second pressing protrusion is provided on a cylindrical shaft of the moving member, The cylindrical axis of the first pressing protrusion and the cylindrical axis of the second pressing protrusion are substantially aligned. The switch device according to [3]. [5] The elastic member has protrusions at at least three locations on the end of the elastic member on the side of the push-down member, the protrusions protruding toward the push-down member and having their tips in contact with the push-down member, At least two of the protrusions are provided opposite to each other across the cylindrical axis of the elastic member. The switch device according to [1]. [6] A substrate on which the detection member is provided, the moving member is supported by the elastic member in a state spaced apart from the surface of the substrate, and has a contact portion that contacts the surface of the substrate in response to a pressing operation of the pressing member; The switch device according to [1]. [7] The elastic member has a fixed portion fixed to the plate surface of the substrate, a support portion supporting the moving member, and a connecting portion connecting the fixed portion and the support portion, The support portion moves relative to the fixing portion in the pressing direction as the connection portion elastically deforms in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member. The switch device according to [6]. [8] The pressing member has a pressing surface that is pressed down, a light guide member having an enclosing portion surrounding the pressing surface and guiding light from the light source toward the enclosing portion; The switch device according to [1]. [9] The switch device according to [8], wherein the light-guiding member is held by the elastic member so as to be allowed to move in at least one direction along the pressing surface.

[10] The switch device according to [8], wherein the pressing member has a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the pressing surface and is provided on the pressing direction side of the surrounding portion of the light-guiding member.

[11] The switch device according to [1], wherein the pressing member contacts only the elastic member in the pressing direction.

[12] An electronic musical instrument comprising the switch device according to any one of [8] to

[11] .

[13] The electronic musical instrument according to

[12] , further comprising a light source that emits light toward the pressing member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Electronic keyboard instrument 2 Power button 4 Volume knob 6 LCD display 8 Operation panel 10 Keyboard 20 Case 22 Upper Case 24 Lower case 26 Left case 26a Top panel 26a1 Operation opening 26a2 Setting opening 26b Case side wall 27 Inner frame 28 Right case 30 1st setting switch 32 Key top 34 Key guide 36 Rubber key 40 Second setting switch 42 Key top 44 Key guide 46 Rubber key 48 Light guide 50 Decision switch 52 key top 52a1 pressing surface 54 Key guide 54a First box-shaped part 54a2 Bottom surface 54b Plate-like protrusion 54b1 Contact portion 54c Retaining portion 54c1 Inclined surface 54c2 Retaining surface 54d Guide side convex part 56 Rubber key 56a First square tube part 56a1 Upper end part 56b Second box-shaped part 56b1 Upper end part 56b2 1st protrusion 56b3 Support surface 56b4 Insertion opening 56b5 Circular recess 56c 2nd overhang 56c1 1st protrusion 56c2 Bottom surface 56c3 2nd protrusion 56c4 First notch 56c5 Insertion hole 56d Hinge part 56e Rubber side convex part 56f Fixing pin 58 Light guide 58a Second rectangular tube portion 58b Annular portion 58c 3rd overhang 58c1 2nd notch 58d Inclined part 58d1 First reflective surface 58d2 Second reflective surface 58e Regulating pin 60 Circuit board 60a Top side 60b Bottom surface 60c Mounting hole 60d Notch on board side 62 Switch section 62a Fixed contact section 62b Movable contact section 64 LED 66 Connection terminal A1 Cylinder shaft A2 Cylinder shaft C Gap EJ Earphone jack L1 light L2 light PB Pitch Bender SG Switches T1, T2, T3 thickness dimensions W1, W2, W3 width dimensions

Claims

1. a depression member that can be depressed; a substantially cylindrical elastic member provided on the pressing direction side of the pressing member, the pressing member side being elastically deformed in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member; a detection member for detecting a pressing operation on the pressing member; a moving member that is supported by the elastic member on the inside of the elastic member and moves in the pressing direction in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member, When the movable member moves in response to the pressing operation, the detecting member side of the elastic member is elastically deformed, the pressing member contacts only the elastic member among the elastic member, the detection member, and the moving member in the pressing direction; Switch device.

2. the elastic member has a first pressing protrusion that presses the detection member in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member, the moving member has a second pressing protrusion that presses the first pressing protrusion from the side opposite to the detection member in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member; The switch device according to claim 1 .

3. the first pressing protrusion and the second pressing protrusion are substantially columnar, In a normal state in which the first pressing convex portion does not press the detection member, a thickness dimension of the first pressing convex portion is larger than a thickness dimension of the second pressing convex portion, and a width dimension of the first pressing convex portion is smaller than a width dimension of the second pressing convex portion. The switch device according to claim 2 .

4. the first pressing protrusion is provided on a cylindrical shaft of the elastic member, the second pressing protrusion is provided on a cylindrical shaft of the moving member, a cylindrical axis of the first pressing protrusion and a cylindrical axis of the second pressing protrusion substantially coincide with each other; The switch device according to claim 3 .

5. The elastic member has protrusions at least three times at an end portion thereof on the side of the push-down member, the protrusions protruding toward the push-down member and having tip portions that come into contact with the push-down member, At least two of the protrusions are provided opposite to each other across the cylindrical axis of the elastic member. The switch device according to claim 1 .

6. a substrate on which the detection member is provided, the moving member is supported by the elastic member in a state spaced apart from the surface of the substrate, and has a contact portion that comes into contact with the surface of the substrate in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member; The switch device according to claim 1 .

7. the elastic member has a fixed portion fixed to a surface of the substrate, a support portion supporting the moving member, and a connection portion connecting the fixed portion and the support portion, The support portion moves relative to the fixing portion in the pressing direction as the connection portion elastically deforms in response to a pressing operation on the pressing member. The switch device according to claim 6.

8. The pressing member has a pressing surface that is pressed down, a light guide member having an enclosing portion surrounding the pressing surface and guiding light from a light source toward the enclosing portion; The switch device according to claim 1 .

9. The switch device according to claim 8 , wherein the light guide member is held by the elastic member so as to be allowed to move in at least one direction along the depression surface.

10. The switch device according to claim 8 , wherein the pressing member has a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the pressing surface and is provided on the pressing direction side of the surrounding portion of the light guide member.

11. An electronic musical instrument comprising the switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 11 , further comprising a light source that emits light toward the pressing member.

Images